Business Development Manager - Disputes

Who we are

As a global law firm our work spans jurisdictions, cultures, and languages – and so do our people.

Our culture is collaborative and inclusive, where diverse perspectives are recognised and valued. Where performing to your highest ability, unlocks equal access to opportunities to learn, thrive and grow. 

We combine deep legal expertise and commercial intelligence to grow, transform, protect, and defend our clients' businesses, across every critical moment.

We operate in the sectors and regions that matter to our clients. With forward-thinking insights and innovative, tech-enabled solutions that combine deep knowledge of their sectors and markets.

You’ll build connections and work with colleagues as one global team. You’ll unlock opportunities for clients, across borders, cultures, legal and commercial disciplines.

Join us to work with colleagues as one global team – empowering each other to be exceptional and create advantage for our clients.

 

The role 

Clifford Chance has an ambitious global strategy which puts clients at the very heart of everything the firm does.  The Business Development ("BD") function is pivotal in making the firm's strategy a reality.  BD teams collaborate strategically with partners, lawyers and other business professional functions to drive sustainable growth.  The BD function supports conversion of key client and market opportunities through the development and delivery of targeted business development and marketing plans.

This role is part of a global BD team with primary responsibility for supporting our Americas Disputes product team across a range of sub-product areas including Litigation, Arbitration and Investigations.

This is a hands-on and proactive role where you will work alongside a core BD team in region, collaborating directly with regional Disputes team members, and act as a key point of contact for relevant product stakeholders within the firm to provide support on the execution of wider BD strategy.

This role presents an excellent opportunity to explore client and market business development in a professional services environment, working closely with multiple stakeholders, to deliver tangible results as part of a global BD team.

Purpose of role

You will work directly to support key stakeholders on their client and market business development initiatives and support the implementation of BD strategy.

This role collaborates closely with the fee-earning population in region and globally to support identification, pursuit and winning of revenue generating opportunities.  It connects partners and lawyers to the full spectrum of BD services and expertise available across the global function.

This role works alongside counterparts in region, and in other product groups, as well as being a key member of the BD community globally.

Key responsibilities

Strategy and implementation

• Support the implementation of BD and marketing plans, ensuring alignment with firmwide strategy.
• Track progress against plans to achieve over-arching goals, focusing on ROI on a periodic basis.
• Support research initiatives on regional product and market trends, clients, prospects, and competitors to inform strategic marketing decisions.
• Manage the quality of output, ensuring partner expectations are being met.

Revenue generation

• Support the relevant product group in implementing its BD plan.
• Work with relevant stakeholders to develop/shape BD product offerings and initiatives.
• Promote BD offerings and initiatives within the product group and the firm more widely.
• Proactively spot market trends and opportunities for the product group across the region and globally.
• Provide tailored input into significant product pitches and updating and maintaining capability statements.

Reputation management and marketing communications (working with Brand, Communications and Public Affairs (BC&PA) and Knowledge, Expertise and Thought Leadership (KETL))

• Assist in identifying opportunities to position and raise the profile of the product group and its individual lawyers.
• Involvement in the organisation of relevant BD client events, seminars and conferences, sponsorships, PR, etc.
• Support multiple marketing communications projects, including the delivery of relevant directory/awards submissions.
• Support in the creation and distribution of thought leadership material.

Client and market development

• Apply depth of product knowledge to support firmwide client and sector programmes.
• Awareness of competitor, client and marketplace analysis to identify new and emerging client and sector opportunities.

Business Development function

• Work closely with relevant key stakeholder(s) to execute on strategically important BD function projects.
• Support the implementation of the BD Operating Model by assisting with the alignment of activity to teams (within and outside of BD), in line with technology roadmaps and transition plans.

 

Your experience

• Previous experience in professional services business development (preferably in a law firm)
• A strong interest in and understanding of the work types(s) relevant to this role
• Sound commercial awareness of legal market development, particularly in relation to work types(s) relevant to this role. 
• The ability to develop advisory relationships with partners
• Strong project management and organisational skills
• Excellent oral and written communications skills
• Ability to work as part of a team and with lawyers of all seniority levels
• Commitment to quality and attention to detail
• A degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline

Clifford Chance US LLP offers a comprehensive benefits and compensation package. The salary range for this role is $160,000 - $180,000. The actual salary will be commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and relevant experience.

 

Equal opportunities

At Clifford Chance, we understand that our true asset is our people. Inclusion is good for our team and their families, our firm and society.

We are committed to treating all employees and applicants fairly and equally regardless of their gender, gender identity and expression, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour, national or ethnic origin, social or economic background, disability, religious belief, sexual orientation, or age.  This applies to recruitment and selection, terms and conditions of employment including pay, promotion, training, transfer and every other aspect of employment.

We have a variety of flourishing employee networks. These networks are a place for colleagues to share experiences and advocate for change wherever they see an opportunity for improvement.

Our goal is to deliver an equality of opportunity, an equality of aspiration and an equality of experience to everyone who works in our firm. 

Find out more about our inclusive culture here.